Chapter 197: Crimson offerings
The city didn’t sleep that night.
Word of the temple’s transformation spread like wildfire—whispers trailing through merchant stalls, floating into wine dens, dripping into noble homes where curiosity bloomed like sin in the dark. Some called it heresy. Others called it awakening. But no one could ignore the way the temple’s windows glowed red through the night, flickering like a living thing. And those closest to the great stone walls swore they could hear chanting—not holy verses, but moans, wet and rhythmic, like the city’s heart had changed its beat.
Allen stood on the highest terrace, bathed in moonlight and torchfire, overlooking the chaos he had sown. Fina was nestled on a velvet couch behind him, half-naked and flushed from the earlier events. Her legs were draped over Rinni’s lap, who was idly tracing shapes along the curve of her thigh with the tip of one clawed finger. The five temple maids had been taken below to be bathed, fed, and re-inked—each one to be presented again the next day, not as servants, but as symbols.
Symbols of the city’s new god.
Allen turned as footsteps approached. One of the younger priestesses—barely older than the age of maturity, pale-skinned with silver hair wrapped in ceremonial cords—dropped to her knees, trembling, her gaze fixed on his feet.
"Forgive me, my King," she whispered, voice soft as fog. "I’ve come... to be tested."
Fina smirked without lifting her head. "That’s the fourth one tonight."
"She’s prettier than the last one," Rinni added, grinning as she hooked her arm behind Fina’s back.
Allen walked forward, slow and deliberate. The priestess’s breath caught as he neared, her eyes wide with a fear she didn’t want to admit felt like hunger. He reached down, cupping her chin, tilting her face up.
"What’s your name?" he asked, thumb brushing over her lower lip.
"Aluun, my King."
"Why did you come?"